Kaduna vaccinates over 700,000 girls in fight against cervical cancer

The Kaduna state government says it has vaccinated 754,304 girls aged 9 to 14 against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the virus responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer.

The announcement came during the official launch of the ‘Girl Effect OYA Campaign’, a new initiative aimed at accelerating efforts to prevent cervical cancer and tackle adolescent malnutrition.

The event was held at the Gusau Institute in Kaduna.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the deputy governor, represented by Hajiya Rabi Salisu, commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, described the campaign as “a call to action, a call to move, and a call to protect.”

This is not just about vaccines and nutrition. It is about our collective duty to protect and empower the next generation of girls in Kaduna State,” Balarabe said.

According to the state government, the HPV vaccination drive, which began in 2024, is being scaled up under Governor Uba Sani’s administration to expand access across the state.

The vaccines are part of a broader strategy to improve adolescent health and reduce preventable deaths among girls.

“No child should be lost to a disease we can prevent. Every girl in Kaduna deserves to grow up healthy, strong, and free from diseases we know how to stop,” she added.

The ‘Girl Effect Oya Campaign’, implemented by UK-based nonprofit Girl Effect, is designed to raise awareness, engage communities, and promote early prevention through access to health information, routine immunisation, and improved nutrition.

Balarabe praised Kaduna’s health workers for their dedication and said the state has emerged as a leader in northern Nigeria for integrating adolescent health into routine immunisation and social development strategies.

She called on parents, teachers, traditional rulers, and faith leaders to support the campaign by promoting healthy practices and dispelling harmful myths in homes, schools, markets, and places of worship.